The British Columbia (BC) Tech Pilot Program is an immigration pathway designed to attract skilled tech workers and entrepreneurs to the province of British Columbia, Canada. Launched in 2017, the program aims to address the labor shortages in the technology sector by providing a fast-tracked immigration process for eligible candidates and their families. In this guide, we will cover all aspects of the BC Tech Pilot Program, including eligibility criteria, the application process, the occupation list, points calculator, and processing time.
Eligibility
To apply for the BC Tech Pilot Program, applicants must meet specific eligibility requirements:
a) Job Offer: Candidates must have a valid job offer from an eligible employer in British Columbia. The job offer must be for one of the occupations listed under the BC Tech Pilot Program occupation list (we’ll cover this in detail later).
b) Work Experience: Applicants must have at least two years of relevant work experience in one of the eligible occupations within the past five years.
c) Education: There are no specific educational requirements for the BC Tech Pilot Program. However, higher education and additional qualifications can increase the applicant’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which affects the overall application ranking.
d) Language Proficiency: Candidates must demonstrate proficiency in English or French by providing valid language test results.
e) Intention to Settle in BC: Applicants must intend to live and work in British Columbia.
Occupation List
The BC Tech Pilot Program has a specific occupation list comprising jobs that are in high demand in the tech sector. This list is regularly updated, so it is essential to check the latest version on the official British Columbia government website. As of my last knowledge update in September 2021, the following are some of the occupations included in the list:
- Software Engineers
- Web Developers
- Data Engineers
- Information System Analysts
- Computer Programmers
- UX/UI Designers
- Mobile Application Developers
- Graphic Designers and Illustrators
Application Process
The application process for the BC Tech Pilot Program involves several steps:
The British Columbia (BC) Tech Pilot Program is an immigration pathway designed to attract skilled tech workers and entrepreneurs to the province of British Columbia, Canada.
Secure a Job Offer
Interested candidates must first secure a valid job offer from an eligible employer in British Columbia. The job offer should be for one of the occupations listed under the BC Tech Pilot Program.
Create a BC PNP Online Profile
After obtaining the job offer, applicants need to create an online profile through the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) website.
Register for the Tech Pilot
Within the BC PNP profile, applicants must register for the Tech Pilot category
Invitations to Apply (ITA)
The BC PNP conducts regular draws to invite candidates to apply for provincial nomination. If selected, candidates will receive an ITA.
Submit a Complete Application
Upon receiving an ITA, applicants have a limited time to submit a complete application. This includes providing all required documents and information
Provincial Nomination
If the application is approved, the candidate will receive a provincial nomination, which awards them additional CRS points in the federal Express Entry system
Apply for Permanent Residence
With the provincial nomination, candidates can now apply for permanent residence to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
BC Tech Pilot Points
To be eligible for the BC Tech Pilot Program, applicants must meet the minimum required points. The BC PNP uses a points-based system to evaluate candidates’ profiles. Points are awarded based on factors such as:
- Points are awarded depending on the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level of the job offer.
- Higher wages can earn candidates more points.
- More years of experience can lead to higher points.
- Higher levels of education can result in additional points.
- Language test results are crucial in determining language proficiency points.
- Being offered a job in one of the designated tech occupations can earn additional points.
- Applicants must score enough points to receive an ITA during the regular draws.
Processing Time
The processing time for the BC Tech Pilot Program may vary depending on various factors, including the volume of applications received and the complexity of individual cases. Generally, the BC PNP aims to process applications as quickly as possible. Applicants can check the current estimated processing time on the official BC PNP website.